Knitting appeal launched for Hurricane Sandy victims

A knitting appeal is being launched by a New Yorker living in Bermuda to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy victims.

In the wake of the enormous natural disaster many people have been left homeless, with little or no possessions, meaning the chance to receive new, warm clothes is being gratefully accepted.

Jennifer Johnson Porter is looking to her Bermuda neighbours to volunteer to make blankets, scarves, gloves and jumpers to send to people on the East Coast.

Speaking to the Royal Gazette she said that the city was lucky to avoid Hurricane Irene just as she left, but after living in Bermuda she realises just how much destruction can be caused by such a storm.

Mrs Johnson Porter had started a knitting circle for fun and to teach others invaluable skills, and hoped that the latest charitable project "will make people think of others rather than themselves".

She explained: "People in Bermuda know what it's like to go through a hurricane and we can get some blankets and whatever else people can knit to those who are struggling right now."

While she admitted she was pretty speedy with the knitting needles, the ex-New Yorker urged others with shared skills to get involved and try making a few pieces.

All items will be shipped to shelters in the US so that they can efficiently be distributed to people in need, rather than being stored in warehouses for later use.

"I want to get the items we make into people's hands to show that there is someone out there trying to help you," Mrs Johnson Porter said.

"Bermudians are known to help others… It is extremely important to do things like this because if the shoe were on the other foot people would be looking for help from someone, so it has to be a give and take with this," she continued.